Viewer - Talk Trail Blazers with Jason Quick

Talk Trail Blazers with Jason Quick

Friday February 1, 2013

12:04

The Oregonian:

Welcome, everybody. Jason Quick is with us to take your Blazers questions.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:04 The Oregonian

12:06

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

What is Jason's prediction for the Blazer's record over the next 8 games going into the All-Star break?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:06 Guest

12:07

Jason Quick:

My prediction is 4-4 (Wins at home vs. Utah, at Minny, at Orlando, at NO)

Friday February 1, 2013 12:07 Jason Quick

12:07

Jason Quick:

But I think 5-3 is achievable

Friday February 1, 2013 12:07 Jason Quick

12:07

[Comment From speechguyspeechguy: ]

what is the most pressing need off the bench?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:07 speechguy

12:08

Jason Quick:

Some scoring would help, but more than anything I think they need solid rebounding. Freeland, Leonard, et al. have to do a better job

Friday February 1, 2013 12:08 Jason Quick

12:09

[Comment From Joe MooreJoe Moore: ]

Do you think the Blazers have any chance to sign a good free agent this summer?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:09 Joe Moore

12:10

Jason Quick:

Yes, but I wouldn't count on the big-splash free agent. Especially if Blazers lose 1st round pick, I think you will see Olshey go for 3 players - all of them in the 4-6 million dollar range. That's how you strengthen bench

Friday February 1, 2013 12:10 Jason Quick

12:11

[Comment From MattMatt: ]

Jason, I have the Blazers finishing about 38-44, which would have them in the lottery at about the 14th pick, based on last years lottery results. Do you have them in the lottery, the playoffs, or the no-man's land in between?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:11 Matt

12:11

Jason Quick:

No question they go after center in free agency, as well as a shooting guard. The third player will likely be an upgrade at backup PG

Friday February 1, 2013 12:11 Jason Quick

12:13

Jason Quick:

Matt - It's so hard to predict with this team, because they continue to surprise (and disappoint) on a weekly basis. Just when you think you have them figured, they stun you. But I would guess your 38-win projection is close ... and I think that probably puts them in the no-man's land. Worst-case scenario

Friday February 1, 2013 12:13 Jason Quick

12:13

[Comment From JRJR: ]

What is the liklihood that the Blazers resign JJ Hickson? Do they keep him, trade him or let him go?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:13 JR

12:13

Jason Quick:

I think they let him go.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:13 Jason Quick

12:13

[Comment From Jeff_PortlandJeff_Portland: ]

Is Freeland in the doghouse? What does he have to do to earn more playing time?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:13 Jeff_Portland

12:14

Jason Quick:

J.J. is a nice player, but he is also a very flawed player - particularly defensively. And if there is a player whose attitude/ego can get out of line, it's JJ

Friday February 1, 2013 12:14 Jason Quick

12:15

Jason Quick:

Freeland in doghouse? Not so much. Right now he is ill. Caught the bug that has been going around (Claver just got over it). The thing about Freeland is he hasn't been the bruiser/banger type the team envisioned from his play oversees. He has been spooked for some reason into being a finesse player in the NBA

Friday February 1, 2013 12:15 Jason Quick

12:16

[Comment From JohnnyUtahJohnnyUtah: ]

Jason, What moves do expect the Blazers to make, if any, prior to the trade deadline? Is Hickson being shopped?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:16 JohnnyUtah

12:16

Jason Quick:

I think the Blazers stay put, and they certainly are not "shopping" JJ

Friday February 1, 2013 12:16 Jason Quick

12:16

[Comment From T9T9: ]

Have the Blazers given up on Elliot Williams, or will they attempt to resign him for cheap?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:16 T9

12:17

Jason Quick:

One, the Blazers dont have many assets other teams covet - not even inflated contracts that can help a team looking to get under for the summer. And if they get rid of JJ, they need a center in return (Meyers isn't ready) ... also, there's something to be said about this team's chemistry - both from a personality and on-court cohesive standpoint. Everybody knows and does their role

Friday February 1, 2013 12:17 Jason Quick

12:19

Jason Quick:

It's too early to tell on Elliot. He's still inching back in his rehab. But I'm sure the Blazers will do their due diligence on him in the summer. They certainly haven't given up on him. He is such a good kid, really likeable, really hard worker and really talented. But it's hard for me to say where they stand on him without knowing how he is medically

Friday February 1, 2013 12:19 Jason Quick

12:20

[Comment From Joe MooreJoe Moore: ]

Jason: Please explain why they let Hickson go. He backs up LA and is a 3rd center.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:20 Joe Moore

12:22

Jason Quick:

Defensively he is a nightmare. It is a chore to keep him happy with being a 5. His stats this season will up the price teams are willing to pay, which will be more than the Blazers think he is worth. I respect JJ's effort just as much as the next guy, and he is having a fine year. But talk to basketball people and he is flawed. There is a reason a team like Sacramento let him go for nothing

Friday February 1, 2013 12:22 Jason Quick

12:23

[Comment From Pushrod 140Pushrod 140: ]

Jason: I get so frustrated watching Babbit play. I'd love to see him find another home and have us pick up JJ Redick in free agency this summer to fill the long ball role. Thoughts?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:23 Pushrod 140

12:24

[Comment From Joe MooreJoe Moore: ]

Thaanks for the info on Hickson. I didn't know that.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:24 Joe Moore

12:25

Jason Quick:

That would be a lovely trade off. I think you will get your wish on Babbitt finding another home. I don't see the Blazers re-signing him unless it gets late in the summer and they need a spot filled, he's available and willing to come for like $1 million. JJ Redick is nice. He will be one of the hot commodities this summer in the free agent market. Might be a tad out of the Blazers' price range. I bet he gets around $9 mil.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:25 Jason Quick

12:25

[Comment From ronron: ]

Are we repeating past errors in pushing for more wins at the expense of developing young players such as Leanard and Barton with extended playing time?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:25 ron

12:28

Jason Quick:

It's a tricky line to walk - the win now vs. develop now. I think the Blazers are playing it right. You have to play to win. It would send the wrong message, and establish a poor culture. The young players are developing. While the starters rest mostly in practices, the young players play non-stop. They are getting reps, they are going against top-level players. For instance, Stotts will have 5 non-starters go against the starters, plus 3 subs. The starters get their needed rest as the subs go in and out, and the five non-starter team plays their behind off. That's how you improve without costing the team a victory.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:28 Jason Quick

12:29

[Comment From cressycressy: ]

Do you think Meyers Leonard developes into an all-star type center?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:29 cressy

12:29

Jason Quick:

Plus, as Olshey notes, it's a much easier sell to players in the free agent market when you can point to a team that is on the rise, having just made the playoffs (or come close) with a core that is going to be together for a long time.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:29 Jason Quick

12:32

Jason Quick:

Does Meyers turn into an All-Star type center? Hmmm. Right now, I would have to say no. But the kid has ridiculous athleticism for a guy his size and he is raw and learning. Right now it looks like Olshey should have drafted Zeller. But in 2 years, I might think differently. It will be interesting to see it develop

Friday February 1, 2013 12:32 Jason Quick

12:32

[Comment From GuyGuy: ]

The starters continue to log heavy minutes. I worry about the wear and tear. How much of a concern is this for the team if at all?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:32 Guy

12:35

Jason Quick:

Stotts continues to insist it is not a big deal. I agree. 1. All the starters are young. LaMarcus is the oldest at 27, and 27 is considered the age when NBA players are in their prime. 2. They all deserve to play the minutes they are getting. I could see an argument for Wes getting less minutes if there was a more capable backup, but all of these guys should - and would - be playing the same minutes if they were on another team.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:35 Jason Quick

12:35

[Comment From JohnnyUtahJohnnyUtah: ]

I've read a lot of articles about Lillard's current maturity vs. supposed limited ceiling. How much potential for continued growth do you think is there? Could he be a Derrick Rose type?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:35 JohnnyUtah

12:35

Jason Quick:

Plus, Stotts has been conscious of giving the team at least 1 day off a week, and as I stated earlier, when they practice, he makes sure to give the heavy-minutes guys a break

Friday February 1, 2013 12:35 Jason Quick

12:36

Jason Quick:

I think Derrick Rose is a great comp for Lillard. I continue to be very impressed by the kid. He has his areas to improve upon (defense, shot selection, turnovers) but he has been everything and more that the Blazers could have hoped

Friday February 1, 2013 12:36 Jason Quick

12:37

[Comment From pacificwinterpacificwinter: ]

who might be available at center/5 that would be an upgrade over JJ?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:37 pacificwinter

12:39

Jason Quick:

Pekovic, Pachulia, Robin Lopez, Mosgov, Splitter, Kaman ... those are some of the potential free agents. It can be debated how many of those are "better" than Hickson. Again you have to take in the whole package with Hickson, not just his stats

Friday February 1, 2013 12:39 Jason Quick

12:40

[Comment From Joe MooreJoe Moore: ]

Do you think we were lucky not to get Hibbert?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:40 Joe Moore

12:42

Jason Quick:

No, I think he would have been the perfect fit. He is among the premier, if not the premier, defensive center in the NBA right now. Everyone talks about his low offensive numbers this season, but on the Blazers he wouldn't be asked to score. Just play defense. Protect the rim. Block shots. Set screens. Those are some gaping holes right now with this team. The more you go after an offensive center, the less shots for LA, Batum, Lillard, and Wes.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:42 Jason Quick

12:42

[Comment From cressycressy: ]

Can you see the blazers bringing on Brandon Roy as an assistant coach in the future?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:42 cressy

12:43

Jason Quick:

Yes. Or as a broadcaster, ambassador ... I can definitely see him rejoining the franchise. It would allow him to be closer to Seattle as well.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:43 Jason Quick

12:43

Jason Quick:

I know Brandon is interested in broadcasting

Friday February 1, 2013 12:43 Jason Quick

12:43

[Comment From LaGrandeFanLaGrandeFan: ]

It was nice to see LA hit a game winner for the Blazers the other night--first time I can remember him winning a close game for us. Last year we tried to turn him into our 'closer' with poor results. Do you think this will give him more of an 'edge' in the fourth quarter and perhaps become that closer, or is Lillard going to be groomed to take over in fourth like B Roy?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:43 LaGrandeFan

12:46

Jason Quick:

LA did hit a game winner last season in Dallas ... I think the Blazers will continue to use a greater weapon than a B-Roy-type closer: the decoy. Teams in the past KNEW it was going to B Roy. Now? Teams have no clue. Against New Orleans, it was Lillard. Miami and Denver, Wesley. Cleveland, Batum. Dallas, LA ... that is a great weapon to have.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:46 Jason Quick

12:46

The Oregonian:

We'll leave it there, folks. Thanks for all the questions today, and thanks to Jason for taking the time. Final thoughts, Jason?

Friday February 1, 2013 12:46 The Oregonian

12:48

Jason Quick:

It's been a really enjoyable season from my standpoint. Great team to work with, Stotts and Olshey are open, engaging and interesting. Hope the fans are enjoying the season as well. This will be a telling next 8 games. Should reveal a lot about this team and whether it will make a run for the playoffs.

Friday February 1, 2013 12:48 Jason Quick

12:48

[Comment From Matt McMattyMatt McMatty: ]

Thanks Jason!

Friday February 1, 2013 12:48 Matt McMatty

12:48